Swimming apparatus



April 1, 1924- .l;488,642

' 4G. G. B. KJELGAARD swmuirqo APHRATUS I Filed llay 12, 1923 1 I "5 a14/ Y INVEN TOR.

Patented Apr. 1, 3.924%.

GREGEBS G. B. KJELGAARD, 0F HOGSICK FALLS NEN YORK.

SVIIMMIN f APIPAFi-A'I U S.

Application filed May 12,

To 10710712. it may concern.

Be it known that Gnnsnns G. B. KJEL- d-mnu says he is a subject ofDenmark, who resides at Hoosick Falls, in the county of Reusselaer andState of New York. has in vented certain new and useful Improvements inSwimming Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to swimming apparatus and is designed for aidingthe swimmer in propulsion of his body through the water.

Among the objects of my invention is the provision of a simple device.which may be conveniently attached to the lower leg, and comprising inbrief, a supporting means, an extensible and collapsible skirt. andmeans whereby the skirt may be alternatively extended and collapsed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates detailed construction ofthe apparatus:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the supporting body attached to the legwith the skirt removed.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the entire apparatus attached to the leg.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a modified form.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of another modified form. 7

Referring now to the drawing Fig. 1 the leg attachment comprises aflexible support in the form of a loose fitting sock or stocking 5 ofsuitable fabric enclosing foot andlower leg, the toe and heel beingremoved and the support being provided with a double row of eyelets 6,which permit the support to be laced firmly to leg. suitable lacing 7being inserted in the eyelets and laced in the usual manner.

At regular intervals around the circumference of the support 5 are aplurality of pockets 8 sewed on. These serve for the reception of acorresponding number of longitudinal, flexible stays 9 similar to corsetstifleners, said stays being firmly attached to the support 5,preferably by rivets.

Firmly secured, preferably by rivets, at upper ends of stays 9 are flatmetal springs 10, the lower ends of which are bent outward, and rivetedor bolted to these lower ends are a corresponding number of longitudinalribs 11 made of thin strips of wood,

istproof metal or other suitable material.

Stitched around upper part of support 5 1923. Serial No. 638.632.

is a skirt 12 of rubbercloth, canvas or other suitable fabric; thisskirt flares outwardly toward the lower margin and is reinforced by theribs 11, these being inserted in pockets sewed on the skirt and firmlyattached by rivets 13 at their extremities.

Between the ribs 11 are attached additional longitudinal reinforcingstays 14 of similar material as very fine corset stiffeners.

The lower edge of the skirt is turned in wardly and stitched over a cord15, which serves to strengthen and hold the edges in their proper shape.

At upper part of skirt 12 is made a slit 16, in which a triangular pieceof fabric 17 is inserted, this allows upper part of skirt to spread,when foot is passed through in putting on or removing the apparatus.

In edges of slit 16 are attached eyelets 18, through which a lace 19 isinserted, this also passing through upper eyelets of support 5 andserves to draw upper part of support firmly around leg.

Around outer circumference of support 5 is a stitched on band 20, inwhich a number of eyelets 21 corresponding to the number of ribs areinserted. From these eyelets and to an intermediate part of ribs 11,cords 22 are connected. These cords serve to limit the outward swingingmovement of the skirt. when moved by the leg on the propulsion stroke.and thus prevent the skirtfrom turning inside out.

An elastic cord 23 interconnects the ribs adjacent their connection withthe limiting cords 22 and serves to automatically collapse the skirtduring walking.

As an alternative of attaching the ribs 11 to stays by small springs. Imay employ an entire flat spring 24 Fig. 3. in which case additionallimiting cords 25 may be added.

In alternative form illustrated in Fig. 4;

I attach upper part of ribs 11 with upper part of stays 9 by means ofhinges 26 and employ flat, bent springs 27 attached to inside of ribs 11to limit the inward movement of rib and skirt.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is 1. A swimming apparatus comprising asupporting stocking, longitudinally reinforcing stays attached to saidstocking, an 11 outwardly and downwardly flared skirt attached to upperportion of said stocking,

reinforcing ribs secured to said skirt and to upper ends of stays ofstocking and means for securing said apparatus upon the leg.

2. A swimming apparatus comprising a supporting stocking to be lacedupon the leg, longitudinally reinforcing stays at tached to saidstocking, an outwardly and downwardly flared skirt attached to upperportion of said stocking, reinforcing ribs scoured to said skirt and bysprings attached to upper ends of stays of stocking, and cords fromstocking to ribs 01" skirt.

3. A swimming apparatus comprising e supporting stocking to be lacedupon the leg, longitudinally reinforcing stays attached to saidstockingen outwardly and downwardly fist-red skirt attached to upperportion of said stocking reinforcing ribs secured to said skirt and bysprings attached to upper ends stsys of stocking; a. longitudinal slit wl1 an insert at upper part of said skirt, a non-elastic cord at lowermargin of said skirt, an elastic cord for interconnecting the ribs ofskirt, non-elastic cords from stocking to ribs of skir t, and

means for closing slit in skirt and for fastening upper part of stockingaround leg.

GREGERS G. E. KJELGAARD.

